The cross-pollination of Microsoft and the BBC's iPlayer continued yesterday, with Auntie confirming it had hired Redmond's IPTV platform Mediaroom and Zune wonk.

Daniel Danker has taken on the role of general manager for programmes and on-demand telly at the Beeb, which means he will have responsibility for the iPlayer.

He will oversee the BBC's online products and services for the Corporation's archive, programmes, channels and stations.

Additionally, Danker will work with the BBC's Audio & Music and Vision wings. He has also been tasked with heading up development of the iPlayer, as well as the BBC's entire online search estate.

“The BBC iPlayer has been a great success, and as video and audio-on-demand comes of age we want to stay ahead of our audiences’ expectations by developing and delivering world-class products," said BBC future media and technology boss Erik Huggers.

Danker's first day at the new job starts on 20 September.

The Beeb's previous FMT boss, Ashley Highfield, took up a post with Microsoft UK as its consumer and online veep in late 2008. Immediately prior to that he had been - for four months only - in charge of the doomed web TV joint venture Project Kangaroo.

In related news, the BBC's iPlayer ditched its beta tag yesterday, and added some social network features to the platform. ®